Letters -- Published July 18, 2013

Your June 30 editorial "Hurting no one" reminds us of the TV shows where the gunman shouts to his captives, "Everybody shut up and lie down, and nobody gets hurt."

Your June 30 editorial "Hurting no one" reminds us of the TV shows where the gunman shouts to his captives, "Everybody shut up and lie down, and nobody gets hurt."

It hurts.

It hurts us when the Supreme Court majority "impose change by adjudging those who oppose it (are) enemies of the human race," as Justice Antonin Scalia said.

It hurts us when many of our state officials, especially Gov. Jerry Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris, lie to us when they take their oath of office and then fail to "support and defend" the state and federal Constitutions and any laws they don't like. Harris even said of us, "... they are bystanders, they are sitting in the sidelines." She essentially says we are not even fit to participate in civil discourse.

It hurts us to see our natural marriage being undermined by saying that children don't need mothers and fathers. A mom and a dad each bring separate and irreplaceable gifts and skills to the challenges of parenting. Natural marriage has always been society's best answer to assure as many children as possible can receive those parenting gifts.

We are hopeful, despite the hurt, because 37 states still define marriage as the union of a man and woman.

We, for two, are not going to shut up and lie down, while people, especially children, are getting hurt.

George and Georgia FarleyArnold

Why is there an increase in the use of illegal fireworks in Stockton? These illegal fireworks are disruptive and dangerous and went off for close to a week.

Is the increase due to the sale of legal "safe and sane" fireworks? Is it because other than the Ports we do not have a citywide Fourth of July fireworks event? Is it due to groups actively targeting and selling illegal fireworks in Stockton?

I don't know the answers; all I know is that the Fourth of July is not safe or sane in Stockton.

Nancy McPhersonStockton

In walking my neighborhood in the Collegeview area, I now have to dodge all the dog droppings that are left on the sidewalk by people who are too lazy to pick up after their animals.

I guess because this is left on a public sidewalk, they feel they have no obligation to clean up after their dogs. Wrong!

It's not the dogs' fault, because they do what comes naturally. It's the owner's responsibility, and you all know who you are.

Carleen JohnsonStockton

Liberal Democrats in our state Legislature with a supermajority don't hesitate to increase taxes and fees and push their agenda. They don't seem to realize the damage they are causing the Democratic Party.

They are taking money meant to support our prison system and transferring that cost to the counties without compensation to the counties.

The English complain about high taxes, but at least they get something for their money.

I am a Democrat but do not affiliate with those in Sacramento. And yes, the budget is balanced but without settlement of the billions owed to CalPERS and by cutting payments to the cities and counties. Now with all this money, what are they going to do? Spend, spend and spend.

Ben ColemanLodi

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